2 Chronicles 20

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

Our Bible passage for this evening (2 Chronicles 20), was suggested by Patti Baird. I won’t cut and paste the whole chapter into my email, but will just quote the words (verse 3a) that Patti finds especially helpful in our current situation: “Jehoshaphat was afraid; he set himself to seek the Lord.” (You can find the whole chapter at: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+20&version=NRSV).

This message is a little different from my previous ones. Those were mostly Max with a seasoning of Ann’s wisdom and insight. This is almost entirely Ann, with a small sprinkling of Max. The two of us read the passage together this morning during our time of worship, and Ann got so much out of it, I thought you’d appreciate reading her reflections directly, rather than filtered through me. So here are Ann’s words:   

Patti Baird’s suggestion of reflecting on 2 Chronicles 20 really resonates with me. In our current pandemic situation (Jehoshaphat’s “pestilence” of v. 9), there is a great tendency to fear. Jehoshaphat faced war; we face COVID-19. This passage is honest in saying that Jehoshaphat was afraid. What did Jehoshaphat do? “He set himself to seek the LORD.” This was a deliberate intention. Something that we can choose to do at the start of each day and throughout the day: consciously and deliberately to seek the Lord. We can make it our intention to choose to honor the LORD by focusing on him rather than on our fears. I personally find it helpful to try to limit the time I read about the COVID-19 situation to once or twice a day so I’m not filling my mind with that. Not easy but worth attempting.

All of Judah was called to fasting in this time of impending disaster. We can encourage one another to seek the Lord and take a fast from our fears. When our eyes/minds/thoughts are on the Lord, they are off what we fear. I find it helpful consciously to call to mind good things such as those listed in Philippians 4:8: “ Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” It can be anything that fills your mind with good things. Run a movie in your mind of good things and repeat it frequently.

This call to fasting (from fear) is for everyone, even children. As we adults are able to keep our eyes on God in faith and be calm, we will be modeling and creating an atmosphere that reassures our little ones around us. 

Remember who our God is and pray to the true God who has fully revealed himself in Christ, not to a false image of God. Our God is all-powerful and all-loving. The God who created and sustains all of Creation is the same God who is our Emmanuel, God with us. He is our good Shepherd.

Do not fear. Verses 18-22 are all about praise and worship and thanksgiving. These are our secret weapons/tools for coping with life. Worship the Lord, return to him with your whole heart. “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever” (v. 21).

Now this is mind-blowing: Jehoshaphat “appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy splendor as they went before the army.” The people facing the enemy first were not soldiers but worshipers singing God’s praise. Can you imagine yourself going into battle armed with a song and praise? We all need to be wise and follow safe health directives to protect ourselves and others. I believe God would also love to see his children trusting, giving thanks, and worshiping him in these scary times. After all, “the battle is not yours but God’s” (v. 15).

Peace,

Ann